24th Westlicht Auction: Leica M3 Chrom is worth 840.000 Euro

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Leica cameras with round serial numbers seems to be paying off - At 24th Westlicht Auction a Leica M3 Chrom with the serial number 1.000.000 was sold for 840.000 Euro.

 

The post 24th Westlicht Auction: Leica M3 Chrom is worth 840.000 Euro appeared first on Leica Forum Blog.

 

 

 

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[jaques]

How about cameras with 'almost' round numbers:rolleyes: Like my wonderful m3 # 800001- as much as I love it- owning my own house would be nice:

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[jcraf]

According to the superb '50 Jahre Leica M' book by Osterloh:

 

'...Dr Ludwig Leitz was honored with the one millionth Leica camera'. The Westlicht website confirms that this camera was part of the Leica Museum collection and was one of the few 'presentation cameras'. That all ties with it being presented to Dr Ludwig Leitz.

 

So, before those with 'interesting numbers' rush to auction their cameras, as well as the serial, this Leica has something very special which sets it apart, which probably explains the high price reached!

 

And, as any fule kno, Leica M3 1000001 was given to Alfred Eisenstaedt.

Edited December 8, 2013 by jcraf

[jaques]

I know- I know- the 1 millionth Leica is special- in a way mine isn't:( but so was the first m3 #700001- that sold for over 1.1 million!

 

Of course mine lacks the historical significance (as far as I know) but has the numerical voodoo... so- maybe an even 75,000 Euro would be fair? I will throw in a matching year summicron - gratis! PM me if interested

[jcraf]

Your M3 has a nice patina and a nice number though. Lovely.

 

Another useless but interesting fact is that the previous serial, 700000, was presented to Dr Stefan Kruckenhauser, the Austrian photographer and ski instructor.

 

However, it was actually part of a later production batch of M3 cameras, the number 700000 having been reserved for use on such a 'presentation' camera. I bet that's worth a bit, wherever it is.

 

Kruckenhauser also got an M6 from Leica on his 80th birthday.

 

Maybe I should take up ski instruction.

[jaques]

hmm, I thought #700001 was the fist M3?

[jcraf]

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Yes, it was the first production M3. As I said, 700000 was a later camera, using a reserved 'special number'.

[jaques]

sorry missed that...

 

Your M3 has a nice patina and a nice number though. Lovely.

 

By 'patina' do you mean 'scratched to buggery' by the amazing 'ScratchMaster 10000 MR' Leica Light Meter?

 

I am often surprised that Leica manufactured such aesthetically wonderful cameras- and then produced a light meter with a design that scratched the carp out of the camera tops- for decades. Did they never think.... "hmmm... maybe we should put some felt on the bottom of these light meters"?

Edited December 12, 2013 by jaques

[jcraf]

sorry missed that...

 

 

 

By 'patina' do you mean 'scratched to buggery' by the amazing 'ScratchMaster 10000 MR' Leica Light Meter?

 

I am often surprised that Leica manufactured such aesthetically wonderful cameras- and then produced a light meter with a design that scratched the carp out of the camera tops- for decades. Did they never think.... "hmmm... maybe we should put some felt on the bottom of these light meters"?

 

Yes, always made me wince, putting those on top of earlier M cameras......

[k_g_wolf ✝]

Cameras and lenses used to be tools and instruments to make a living in the old days,

not jewellery.

 

Marks from proper to heavy usage where not considereed to be forbidden. Have a look at

photographs of Leicas being used by DD.Duncan and/ or E. Erwitt - gockel could help here -

and you know what I mean.

 

 

Best

GEORG